The mid-sized sedan has been a family staple for years. Popular for its functionality, price, and fuel economy, it was a no-brainer vehicle choice for many families. The mid-sized sedan market seemed untouchable for a very long time, and it was accepted as a key option among vehicle offerings. However, over the past several years a surprising and sudden decline in sales has occurred.

If you’re interested in automotive service advising, check out why you may see fewer mid-sized sedans over the course of your future career.

Demand for mid-sized sedans has reached a five-year low, with sales sinking quarter over quarter. According to Autonews, during the first quarter of 2016 the mid-sized vehicle segment fell by 3.4 per cent. In the second quarter it went on to fall another 13 per cent, and in the third quarter it fell even further by a shocking 21 per cent. That’s just in 2016. Looking at even older statistics, the mid-side car segment has been experiencing a steady decline since 2013.

Sales of mid-sized sedans have been declining since 2013

According to Canadians statistics, in September 2016 the Toyota Camry experienced a 10.7 per cent decrease in sales compared to 2015 figures for that month. The mid-sized Mazda 6 saw a 46.8 per cent decline, and the Ford Fusion experienced a 5.1 per cent loss. In total, there was an overall 12.8 per cent year-to-date drop in sales from September 2015 to September 2016.

Up until now, an auto service advisor could expect to see plenty of these vehicles during their career. Now the future of these vehicles remains a little bit more uncertain.

The Decline in Mid-Sized Sedans Explained for Service Advisors

Despite the fact that mid-sized sedan sales are dropping, the car industry overall is booming. Drivers are still buying vehicles, but not the ones they were buying before. So why is demand shifting? The answer is simple: improvements in technology.

Shoppers are gravitating towards SUVs and crossovers, as they become increasingly fuel efficient and attainable in terms of price point. The benefits of SUVs are beginning to outweigh the once sought-after qualities of the mid-sized sedan. Their fuel economies are almost on par with mid-sized sedans, and so drivers are opting for the space, control, and sportier look offered by SUVs. In the North American market, experts predict that compact crossovers will clinch the number one spot in sales for 2016, while the mid-sized sedan will fall to number four.

Service Advisors May See More SUVs or Crossovers Instead

While mid-size sedan sales have plunged, sales for SUVs and crossovers have gone up substantially. The Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Nissan Rouge’s sales have collectively jumped by 58 per cent between 2010 and 2015. What does this mean for students in service advisor training? Well, the future is hard to predict. But if this pattern continues, you may encounter fewer mid-sized sedans during your career and spend more time working on crossovers.

Compact-crossover SUVs like the Ford Escape are seeing bigger sales

As SUVs, crossovers, and trucks take center stage in the vehicle market, you may come across more of these vehicles, and feel more comfortable working with them as a result.